Connecting Mindfulness and Meaning in Life: Exploring the Role of Authenticity

Abstract

Using self-determination theory as a guiding framework, the purpose of this study was to investigate if mindfulness and meaning in life were correlated and if the four components of authenticity (i.e., awareness, unbiased processing, behavior, and relational orientation) mediated this relation. We tested this with a multiple mediator model using bootstrapped estimates. Supporting our hypotheses, mindfulness positively correlated with meaning in life, but this relation was no longer significant once the four components of authenticity were included in the model. Contrary to study predictions, only the awareness component of authenticity positively mediated the relation between mindfulness and meaning in life. Although unbiased processing also mediated the relation, it did so inversely, suggesting that after controlling for other aspects of authenticity, unbiased processing had a negative relation with meaning in life. Relational orientation and behavior were not significant mediators. The authors conclude that increased self-awareness may explain the positive relation between mindfulness and meaning in life. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.